Make thugs apologise to victims says ‘common sense’ Ed Miliband

Thugs responsible for anti-social behaviour should be made to apologise to their victims, Labour leader Ed Miliband said during a visit to Greater Manchester. Mr Miliband called for a ‘common sense approach’ to crime and policing and admitted anti-social behaviour was a problem that still hadn’t been cracked.

Thugs responsible for anti-social behaviour should be made to apologise to their victims, Labour leader Ed Miliband said during a visit to Greater Manchester.

Mr Miliband called for a ‘common sense approach’ to crime and policing and admitted anti-social behaviour was a problem that still hadn’t been cracked.

Mr Miliband, accompanied by shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, took part in a question and answer session with residents from Salford, at the city’s civic centre to coincide with the launch of Labour’s local-elections campaign yesterday.

Speaking to the M.E.N beforehand, he criticised government proposals to change the way police and councils can deal with antisocial behaviour, including plans to scrap ASBOs and proposals that would force authorities to act on a problem once it has been reported by five different households in an area.

Labour say police should be able to respond to complaints within 24 hours and not wait until they have been reported by their neighbours. They also want to see greater moves towards restorative justice where victims are encouraged to apologise to the victims of their crime and make amends rather than simply serve time in prison.

Mr Miliband said: “That’s part of the problem. I think the government’s got that wrong.”

He continued: “We know these problems build up and we’ve got to do more to try and nip the problem in the bud. The police should be able to say, when you commit a first offence, that you’ve got to make amends to their victim. I don’t think anti-social behaviour is a problem that’s been cracked and we’ve got to strengthen the way we tackle it not weaken it.” Mr Miliband said: “They (the government) are weakening the powers on anti-social behaviour. We say that’s the wrong approach. Some police forces, including Greater Manchester, are starting to look at these new innovative approaches. I think government needs to provide leadership to encourage this to be done across the country.”

Ms Cooper, who said she believed not enough was being done to prevent a repeat of last summer’s riots, added: “Every complaint should be dealt with the seriousness it deserves.”

Mr Miliband and Ms Cooper heard from residents about their concerns on crime, education, the NHS and the lack of opportunities for young people. It came after a difficult week for both Labour, who suffered a crushing defeat in the Bradford West by-election, and the Conservatives who have been hit by the cash-for-access scandal.

Mr Miliband said: “I think there’s a feeling among the public of scepticism about politics and promises and I think we’ve all got to acknowledge that.”

Asked whether he had concerns about challenges to his leadership, he said he believed people were focused on their own lives. He added: “I don’t think that’s the issue. The issue is how do we as a party take this moment we’re in?”

Representatives of City West housing association, Salix Homes and Ellesmere Park, Beech Farm and Wardley residents’ associations attended the event.